Cottonwood

📖 Academic Overview & Key Context

Located in El Dorado Hills, California, Cottonwood is a public charter school serving students from grades K–12. The school operates within the Cottonwood District in El Dorado County. With a current reported enrollment of 3,563 students, it provides a large campus community designed to support academic and personal growth.

In terms of academic staffing and instructional attention, Cottonwood maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 29.0:1. While this ratio reflects a bustling campus environment, instructional teams utilize structured department leadership to ensure students receive comprehensive curricular support. The campus educational team includes approximately 122.7 full-time equivalent (FTE) classroom teachers and certified instructional personnel.

Reflecting the multicultural fabric of El Dorado Hills, the student body at Cottonwood represents diverse backgrounds. The most represented ethnic demographics include White (69.8%), Hispanic (15.6%), Two or more races (9.7%). This diverse mix contributes to a rich campus experience that prepares students for higher education and global careers.

Through federal and state educational initiatives, Cottonwood participates in community support programs including the National School Lunch Program, with approximately 1,515 students (42.5%) eligible for free or reduced-price meals. This participation helps ensure equitable access to essential learning resources, nutritional support, and student welfare services.